Canopy Conservation

Setting Targets and Continuing to Grow

Known as “The City of Trees,” Charlotte has a wonderful foundation for achieving manageable canopy goals. However, a detailed analysis shows we must take a more aggressive approach to ensure the continued health and well-being of our tree canopy, and we must actively plant thousands of trees to account for growth and development in our city and around the region.

The most recent aerial analysis in 2012 showed that Charlotte’s tree canopy cover was 47%. The City of Charlotte set an ambitious goal to grow our tree canopy by 2050. Meeting the canopy goal means planting 500,000 trees, or “canopying” 12,000 acres which is why we need your help.

Spread over 20 years, we will need to plant 25,000 trees per year. The aerial analysis of the canopy will be updated in early 2018, and programs will recalibrate as needed. There is insufficient public land to meet planting needs, so residential subdivisions hold the most potential for planting and for community engagement.

The efforts of TreesCharlotte and its incredible partners and volunteers paid considerable dividends since 2012. Some of the achievements include:

Planted or gave away more than 20,000 containerized trees

Engaged nearly 10,000 volunteers

Stewarded thousands of trees already planted at previous events

Educated thousands of students and residents about tree care and tree benefits

Established and expanded partnerships with numerous corporate sponsors

Held 5 successful Tree Canopy Action Summits

#500kby2050

TreesCharlotte is a public/private nonprofit collaboration to grow and diversify Charlotte’s urban forest by planting 500,000 trees by 2050, promoting tree stewardship and educating how to plant and preserve trees.